Why are so many Social Security disability claims denied?

Most attorneys agree: the process to receive Social Security disability insurance is usually lengthy and complicated. Social Security disability was established by the federal government as a way to provide financial assistance for people who can't work because of a permanent illness or injury. Congress approved the Social Security benefit program in 1935 for older Americans and added disability pay for the sick or injured in 1956.

While Social Security disability benefits, or SSDI, provides tremendous help to those who can't work, being approved for the program is a challenge for most people. Currently, there is a backlog of approximately 1.1 million cases in the system. In 2015, only 43 percent of people who applied for SSDI or SSI were approved for benefits.

Why is it so difficult to get SSDI, especially if you feel as though it's imperative you receive it each month? The government evaluates each claim and bases its decision on whether or not a person is truly disabled and cannot work. Officials look at whether a person has an impairment they consider a qualifying condition. The list of approved impairments range from herniated discs resulting in serious nerve impingement to mental disorders like schizophrenia to sense disorders like blindness, according to the Social Security Administration. The disorder must interfere with a person's ability to work.

An applicant can be denied SSDI if the disorder is temporary and not expected to last longer than a year, or if he or she can work. If a person has a drug or alcohol problem, disability will not be approved if they could work if the drug or alcohol problem was not present.

Once a claim is denied, an applicant is sent a written decision explaining the reason for the denial. A person can review the claim and decide whether to appeal, but the appeal must be filed within 60 days of receipt of the denial. Is there something in the file that was left out - something that might have ensured approval? Once a file is reviewed, an appeals process can begin. It takes time, but an attorney experienced with Social Security disability claims can help move the process along and hopefully gain approval from the government.

The experienced Social Security disability lawyers at Murphy & Garner, LLC have decades of experience handling disability cases and will fight for the compensation you deserve. For your free consultation call us today at (770) 537-5201, or visit us online.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.